Display assembly for portable article

ABSTRACT

The combination of: a) a portable electronic article; and b) a display assembly. The display assembly has: a support assembly that is engaged with the portable electronic article with the portable electronic article in a display position on the display assembly; and a guide assembly configured to be operatively connected to a support and through which at least a part of the support assembly is guided in a predetermined path relative to the support to which the guide assembly is operatively connected. With the portable electronic article in the display position on the support assembly and the guide assembly operatively connected to the support, the portable article can be reoriented relative to the support by moving the at least part of the support assembly together with the portable electronic device in the predetermined path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to displays for portable articles, as atpoint-of-purchase locations and, more particularly, to a display thatallows a displayed article to be reoriented while being maintained in asecured state.

Background Art

Portable electronic articles/devices, such as phones and tablets, aredisplayed in large numbers in retail establishments. The growing numberof manufacturers of these products, variations in form and capability,and other factors have created a highly competitive market. Thus inretail establishments, to entice consumers to make an on-site purchasingdecision, these articles are displayed visibly and in a manner whereby awould-be purchaser is allowed to inspect and operate a number ofcompetitive products and products with different looks, features, andcapabilities.

Those designing displays remain focused on two competing objectives.First, the articles must be secured positively against theft. Astechnology evolves, phones, tablets, etc. can be made even smaller whileincorporating additional capabilities, functions, features, etc. Asconsumer demands increase, these articles continue to become morecomplex and expensive, which makes them an enticing target for thieves.This is particularly a problem in retail establishments where thesesmall devices are displayed in large numbers and wherein a thief'sactions become less detectable, particularly on crowded days whenpersons are mingling at and around the displays.

The second design objective is to make the displays user friendly. Whilefunction remains a key purchasing objective, aesthetics still are takeninto account in most purchasing decisions. Thus, ideally consumers wouldretain the ability to inspect substantially all of the exposed region ofthe article.

Additionally, the consumer should be able to conveniently operate thearticle in a manner that he/she would in normal use.

Those establishments that effectively display these types of articlesmay take sales away from other establishments that have displays that,while secure, may not afford a potential purchaser the opportunity totest the article to the extent that he/she demands before committing tomake the purchase.

One common display configuration employs a pedestal that is anchored toa support surface on the display. The top of the display has structureto support an article in a raised position whereby the monitor/screen isvisible. Appropriate security structure is built in to maintain thedisplayed article on the display,

Typical of these pedestal displays is an article support structure thatmaintains a displayed article in an optimal orientation to allow theconsumer to conveniently see the front/display region. The flat frontsurface will typically be inclined from vertical so that an averageheight consumer, in a standing position, can view the front of thearticle at an appropriate angle. This fixed configuration display has anumber of drawbacks.

This fixed display is designed primarily to highlight the frontappearance of the article and allow its basic operation. If the consumeris interested in seeing the entire article, he/she may have to lean overand look at the back and sides of the article from a somewhat awkwardstance.

Further, with a fixed display orientation, convenient inspection of thearticle is practical by only a single person directly in front thereof.Convenient operation of the article is also generally convenient onlywith the consumer in this same direct front position. If a consumer isinspecting/operating the article with another consumer or salesperson,the persons may have to shift back and forth into the optimalviewing/operating position.

Further, even though an article is in a fixed display position,consumers may still attempt to reposition it by grasping the article andexerting forces thereon. This may result in damage to the article and/orthe display structure.

Recognizing the criticality of effectively displaying articles of thistype in a highly competitive market, the industry has continued todevelop different display configurations to optimize the user'seffective interaction with an article—by viewing and operationthereof—while effectively securing the article so that article theft iseffectively controlled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of: a) aportable electronic article; and b) a display assembly. The displayassembly has: a support assembly that is engaged with the portableelectronic article with the portable electronic article in a displayposition on the display assembly; and a guide assembly configured to beoperatively connected to a support and through which at least a part ofthe support assembly is guided in a predetermined path relative to thesupport to which the guide assembly is operatively connected. With theportable electronic article in the display position on the supportassembly and the guide assembly operatively connected to the support,the portable article can be reoriented relative to the support by movingthe at least part of the support assembly together with the portableelectronic device in the predetermined path.

In one form, the at least part of the support assembly is guided inmovement around an axis in the predetermined path.

In one form, the at least part of the support assembly is guided inmovement around the axis through a range of at least 270°.

In one form, the at least part of the support assembly is guided inmovement around the axis through a range of at least 330°.

In one form, the display assembly has first and second components thatare guided in movement, one relative to the other, around the axis. Thecombination further includes at least one wire/cable that is directedthrough the first and second components to at least one of: a)mechanically secure the portable article in the display positionrelative to the support; and b) provide an electrical path to theportable article in the display position.

In one form, the first and second components respectively have first andsecond slots, The first and second slots are registrable with each otherto allow passage of the at least one wire/cable.

In one form, the first slot is curved around the axis.

In one form, the first slot has an arcuate shape centered on the axis.

In one form, the at least one wire/cable has a connector. The first slothas a length between first and second ends. The first slot has a locallyenlarged width to allow passage of at least part of the connector on theat least one wire/cable.

In one form, the first slot extends through at least 135° around theaxis.

In one form, the second slot has an arcuate shape centered on the axis.

In one form, the first and second slots each extends through at least135°.

In one form, the first and second slots each has first and second endsand a locally enlarged width between respective first and second ends.The locally enlarged width on the first and second components isregistrable with the first and second components within a range ofrelative positions with respect to the axis.

In one form, the guide assembly has a tubular body with a verticallyextending passage. The first component is fixed on the tubular body. Thesecond component is configured to be fixed to the support with the guideassembly operatively connected to the support, whereby the tubular bodyis movable with the first component.

In one form, the tubular body has a top and bottom. The first componentis fixed at the bottom of the tubular body. The support assembly ismounted at the top of the tubular body.

In one form, the second component is fixed to the support with the guideassembly operatively connected to the support. There are first andsecond surfaces on the guide assembly that block movement of the secondcomponent around the axis to within a predetermined range.

In one form, one of the first and second surfaces is on the firstcomponent.

In one form, the first and second surfaces face circumferentiallyoppositely with respect to the axis.

In one form, the invention is provided in further combination with atleast one of a power supply and an alarm system connected through the atleast one wire/cable to the portable article on the display position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the combination of a portableelectronic article and the inventive display assembly, made up ofsupport and guide assemblies;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a portable electronic article,as used in the combination of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the display assembly in FIG. 1and showing further detail thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front and top perspective view of one exemplary form of theinventive display assembly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear and top perspective view of the display assembly inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view showing an exemplary form ofportable electronic article in relationship to an article engagingassembly making up a part of the inventive display assembly in FIGS. 4and 5;

FIG. 7 is a view as in FIG. 6 but from a different perspective;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the components in FIGS. 6and 7 in a partially assembled state and in relationship to a tubularbody making up part of the inventive support assembly;

FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 8 but from a different perspective;

FIG. 10 is a front, elevation view of the display assembly as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 and with the portable electronic article in a displayposition thereon;

FIG. 11 is a view of the components in FIG. 10 viewed in rear elevation;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of part of the inventivesupport assembly and associated guide assembly;

FIG. 13 is a view as in FIG. 12 but from a different perspective;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, bottom view showing one of two cooperatingcomponents that guide relative movement between a displayed portableelectronic article and a support for the inventive display assembly;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the component in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, bottom view of a component that cooperates withthe component in FIGS. 14 and 15 to guide relative movement between thedisplayed portable electronic article and the support for the inventivedisplay assembly;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the component in FIG. 16;

FIGS. 18-21 are bottom views of the components in FIGS. 14-17 inassembled relationship and showing the relative positions of thesecomponents as the displayed portable electronic article is repositionedrelative to a support for the display assembly; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, bottom view of the assembled components in FIGS.14-17 with registered, enlarged, slot portions thereon to facilitatedirection of a connector therethrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention, as depicted schematically in FIG. 1, is made up of thecombination of a portable electronic article 10 together with a supportassembly 12 and guide assembly 14, that together make up a displayassembly 16.

The portable electronic article 10 may be any type of article that istypically handheld by a user. Within this category are phones, tablets,etc. One subset of this category is shown in FIG. 2, wherein theportable electronic article 10 has a housing 18 with a front display 20which may include a monitor, user input components, etc.

The support assembly 12 is engaged with the portable article 10 with theportable article in the display position thereon. The display assembly16 is configured to secure the displayed portable electronic article 10against separation therefrom.

The guide assembly 14 is configured to be operatively connected to asupport 22, typically in the form of a fixed mounting structure, as at adisplay location. Through the guide assembly 14, at least a part 24 ofthe support assembly 12 is guided in a predetermined path relative tothe support 22.

With the portable electronic article 10 in the display position on thesupport assembly 12, and the guide assembly 14 operatively connected tothe support 22, the portable electronic article 10 can be reorientedrelative to the support 22 by moving at least the part 24 of the supportassembly 12 together with the portable electronic article 10 in thepredetermined path.

As shown schematically in FIG. 3, the display assembly 16 has first andsecond components 26, 28, respectively, that are guided in movement, onerelative to the other, as the portable electronic article 10 isreoriented relative to the support 22. The second component 28 ispreferably fixed to the support 22 with the guide assembly 14operatively connected to the support 22. The first component 26 ismovable with the portable electronic article 10. The first component 26may correspond to the part 24 in FIG. 1 or may be, or include, adifferent, or additional, part.

The schematic showing of components in FIGS. 1-3 is intended toencompass specific forms of the invention, as hereinbelow described, aswell as virtually an unlimited number of variations of those componentand their interaction. The specific forms described hereinbelow areexemplary in nature only.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-22, one specific form of the inventivecombination is shown.

In the embodiment depicted, the portable electronic article 10 is in theform of a smart phone with a housing 18 having a rectangularconfiguration as viewed from the front, and a thickness T between frontand rear surfaces 30, 32, respectively. The front display 20 occupiesthe majority of the area of the front surface 30 and is operated throughconventional touch input technology. The support assembly 12 is engagedwith the portable electronic article 10 to maintain the portableelectronic article in the display position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The guide assembly 14 is operatively connected to the support 22 bybeing fixed thereto, as described in further detail below.

In this embodiment, the entire support assembly 12 is guided in movementaround a vertically extending axis 34 in the aforementionedpredetermined path,

The second component 28 on the display assembly 16 consists of agenerally flat body 36 from which fixed, threaded mounting studs 38project in cantilever fashion in a common direction. As seen in FIG. 12,each of the mounting studs 38 can project through a part 40 of thesupport 22 to allow engagement with a threaded nut 42. With the nuts 42tightened, the support part 40 is securely captively held to maintainthe body 36 in a fixed position relative to the support 22 with theguide assembly 14 operatively connected thereto.

Of course, the specific structure for securing the body 36 to thesupport 22 is not limited to the rigid fixing structure shown. Virtuallyany structure for securement against separation is contemplated.

The support assembly part 24/first component 26 is fixed to the bottomof a hollow, tubular body 44 with a vertically extending through passage46. In this embodiment, the part 24 includes the first component 26,shown in FIG. 3. A pair of fasteners 48 are directed through the firstcomponent 26 and into bores 50 at the bottom of the body 44 to fixedlymaintain the first component 26 and tubular body 44 together.

The support assembly 12 further includes an article engaging assembly 52that is fixed through threaded fasteners 54 at the top of the tubularbody 44.

The precise configuration of the assembly 52 is not critical, as amultitude of different designs are currently commercially available. Theassembly 52 may be constructed to accept only a single configuration ofportable electronic article 10 or may be adjustable to adapt todifferent sizes and shapes.

In this embodiment, laterally spaced grippers 56, 58 are provided tosecure the portable electronic article 10. The grippers 56, 58 eachdefines a U-shaped receptacle 60, 62, respectively, that open towardseach other. The grippers 56, 58 together captively engage opposite sidesS1, S2 of the housing 18. The grippers 56, 58 are configured so thatthey do not overlie a significant region of the front display 20, asseen most clearly in FIG. 10.

The grippers 56, 58 are arranged so that the portable electronic article10 in the display position is angled for optimal viewing by anindividual situated in a standing position in front of the display. Thegrippers 56, 58 are fixed in this holding position in a manner that theycannot be released by an unauthorized individual, This can beaccomplished in a number of different manners, as by using fastenerswith specially designed tools, as described in further detail below.

In this embodiment, a component 64 on an alarm system, shownschematically at 66 in FIG. 1, also engages and supports the portableelectronic article 10 in its display position. The component 64 has ahousing 68 with a flat surface 70 that facially engages the rear surface32 of the housing 18.

The component 64 also has an associated button 72 that is normallybiased to project outwardly from the flat surface and is depressed withthe housing 18 bearing against the flat surface 70 and the portableelectronic article 10 in its display position. Accordingly, the housing68 and grippers 56, 58 cooperate to maintain the portable electronicarticle in its display position.

The housing 68 and grippers 56, 58 are rigidly supported on the tubularbody 44 by a bracket 74 that is fixed to a plate 76 through fasteners77. The plate thus becomes part of the article engaging assembly 52 thatis maintained on the tubular body 44 through the aforementionedfasteners 54.

An elongate mounting bar 78 spans over the bracket 74 and is heldthereagainst by overlying straps 80 that are fixed by fasteners 82extended therethrough into the bracket 74.

With this arrangement, cantilevered ends 84, 86 project oppositely fromthe housing 68 and respectively serve as a support for the grippers 56,58.

The grippers 56, 58 are connected to the mounting bar 78 in likefashion. The exemplary gripper 58 consists of joinable parts 88, 90,with the latter having a receptacle 92 into which the bar end 86extends. A fastener 94 is directed through the gripper part 90 and intothe mounting bar end 86 to effect securement. The gripper parts 88, 90are fixed together with a separate fastener 96.

As noted previously, all fasteners that are accessible to beturned/operated are preferably provided with security type fittings tobe engaged by a complementary, security tool 98, shown schematically inFIG. 6.

The plate 76 and bracket 74 define a subassembly that is attached as aunit to the tubular body 44. The plate 76 has a squared opening 102 thatregisters with an opening 104 formed through the bracket 74 thereby todefine a continuous opening through the tubular body passage 46, theplate 76, the bracket 74, and up to the housing 68 and/or displayedportable electronic article 10.

Accordingly, an electrical wire and/or mechanical cable 106, shownschematically in FIG. 1, can be routed upwardly through the tubular body44. In the event that the wire/cable 106 is used to provide power to theportable electronic article 10, the wire/cable 106 can be electricallyconnected between the portable electronic article 10 and an appropriatepower supply 108. Alternatively, or in addition to facilitatingpowering, the wire/cable 106 can be used to operate the alarm system 66through a direct connection to the portable electronic article and/orthe article engaging assembly 52, whereby an alarm would be sounded inthe event of a breach—triggered by separation of the portable electronicarticle 10, severance of the wire/cable 106, etc.

In the event that the wire/cable 106 performs a mechanical function,appropriate connection to an anchor location 110, shown schematically inFIG. 1, may be effected. The anchor location 110 may be a separatestructure or part of the support 22.

As noted above, the first component 26 is rigidly connected to thetubular body 44 to move as one piece therewith. The identification ofthe first component 26 as a separate element, even though it is integralwith the entire moving part 24, is a convenience for descriptivepurposes. In this embodiment, the flat configuration of the body 112 ofthe first component 26 produces a flat, downwardly facing surface 114.

The body 36 of the second component 28 has a similar flat shape with anupwardly facing flat surface 116. A threaded fastener 118 extendsdownwardly through a split washer 120, the first component 26, a nylonwasher 122, the second component 28, and a split washer 124, and issecured by a nut 126 with a locking capability. A nylon insert istypically used for this purpose. The fastener 118 is tightened to anextent that the oppositely facing component surface 114, 116 are inclose proximity and are allowed to move guidingly, one relative to theother around the axis 34, against opposite surfaces of the nylon spacingwasher 24, with a slight spacing maintained therebetween by the nylonspacing washer 122.

Of course, other structures could be devised to allow relative, guidedturning between the displayed portable electronic article 10 and thesupport 22.

The first and second components 26, 28 are constructed so that thewire/cable 106 can pass therethrough and potentially may be undetectablefrom the top of the tubular body 44 downwardly. This creates a neatappearance, avoids wire/cable tangling, and reduces the risk that thewire/cable 106 will be intentionally compromised.

Optimal flexibility, in terms of reorientation of the displayed portableelectronic article 10, is achieved by allowing turning of the displayedportable electronic article 10 around the axis 34 relative to thesupport 22 through almost a full 360°. Unrestrained turning wouldpotentially result in tangling or kinking of the wire/cable 106. Thus,the first and second components 26, 28 are constructed so that theypermit the displayed portable electronic article 10 to move around theaxis 34 back and forth through slightly less than 360° withoutpermitting turning in either direction a full 360° or more.

In this embodiment, each of the first and second components 26, 28 has adisk shape, with the first component 26 having a diameter D relative tothe axis 34 that is greater than the corresponding diameter D1 of thesecond component 28.

The second component 28 has a tab 128 that projects radially outwardlyfrom its circumferential surface 130. The first component 26 has anintegrally formed, bent tab 132 that depends therefrom adjacent itscircumferential surface 134.

The tabs 128, 132 are configured so that the tab 132 will be invertically/axially overlapping relationship with the tab 128. As thefirst component 26 is moved with the tubular body 44 around the axis 34,the radially inwardly facing surface 136 of the tab 132 moves guidinglyagainst the circumferential surface 130 on the second component 28.Alternatively, the surface 136 may be in close proximity to thecircumferential surface 130.

As seen in FIGS. 18-21, movement of the first component 26 in thedirection of the arrow 138 in FIG. 18 brings one circumferentiallyfacing surface 140 on the tab 132 into abutting relationship withcircumferentially oppositely facing surface 142 on the tab 128, tothereby arrest relative movement therebetween around the axis 34.Turning of the first component 26 from the FIG. 18 position in thedirection of the arrow 144 in FIG. 19 progressively brings the firstcomponent to the FIG. 21 position, wherein a circumferentially facingsurface 146, facing oppositely to the tab surface 140, abuts to acircumferentially facing surface 148 on the tab 128, facing oppositelyto the surface 142.

Thus, the limitation in turning short of a full 360° is dictated by thecircumferential dimensions of the tabs 128, 132. Ideally, this range isat least 270°, and more preferably 330°.

To accommodate the wire/cable 106, the first and second components 26,28 respectively have first and second slots 150, 152 which are at leastpartially registrable through some or all of the range of movement ofthe first and second components 26, 28 relative to each other around theaxis 34. As a result, as the first and second components 26, 28 turn,the wire/cable 106, and potentially an additional wire/cable, may remainin registration with the slots 150, 152 and follow generally the path ofturning movement of the first component 26 around the axis 34.

While not required, the slots 150, 152 are preferably arcuate, with ashape centered on the axis 34.

In one preferred form, each of the first and second slots 150, 152extends through at least 135° in its arcuate path. As depicted, each ofthe slots 150, 152 extends through slightly greater than 180°.

As depicted, the first and second slots 150, 152 have slot radii SR1,SR2, respectively, that are substantially the same and coincidesubstantially fully in a radial direction. This, however, is not arequirement.

Between the ends of the slot 150, the slot 150 is radially enlarged at154. The slot 152 is similarly radially enlarged at 156.

The enlarged slot regions are at least partially registrable, as shownin FIG. 22, to allow passage of an enlarged connector, such as exemplaryconnector 109 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

In the embodiment depicted, the shapes of the enlarged slot regions arenot the same, as seen clearly in FIG. 22. This design was selected toavoid inadvertent migration of the particular connector upwardly asmight create a binding condition that could inflict damage upon thewire/cable 106 and/or connector 109 associated therewith.

In FIGS. 18-21, exemplary movement of the wire/cable within theregistered slots 150, 152 throughout the range of movement is shown. InFIG. 18, the displayed portable article 10 is turned to one extremearound the axis 34. As the portable electronic article 10 moves to theother range extreme, the wire/cable 106 eventually assumes the FIG. 21position.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to beillustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.

1. In combination: a) a portable electronic article; and b) a displayassembly comprising: a support assembly that is engaged with theportable electronic article with the portable electronic article in adisplay position on the display assembly; and a guide assemblyconfigured to be operatively connected to a support and through which atleast a part of the support assembly is guided in a predetermined pathrelative to the support to which the guide assembly is operativelyconnected, whereby with the portable electronic article in the displayposition on the support assembly and the guide assembly operativelyconnected to the support, the portable article can be reorientedrelative to the support by moving the at least part of the supportassembly together with the portable electronic device in thepredetermined path.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein theat least part of the support assembly is guided in movement around anaxis in the predetermined path.
 3. The combination according to claim 2wherein the at least part of the support assembly is guided in movementaround the axis through a range of at least 270°.
 4. The combinationaccording to claim 2 wherein the at least part of the support assemblyis guided in movement around the axis through a range of at least 330°.5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the display assemblycomprises first and second components that are guided in movement, onerelative to the other, around the axis and the combination furtherincludes at least one wire/cable that is directed through the first andsecond components to at least one of: a) mechanically secure theportable article in the display position relative to the support; and b)provide an electrical path to the portable article in the displayposition.
 6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the first andsecond components respectively have first and second slots, the firstand second slots registrable with each other to allow passage of the atleast one wire/cable.
 7. The combination according to claim 6 whereinthe first slot is curved around the axis.
 8. The combination accordingto claim 7 wherein the first slot has an arcuate shape centered on theaxis.
 9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the at least onewire/cable has a connector, the first slot has a length between firstand second ends, and the first slot has a locally enlarged width toallow passage of at least part of the connector on the at least onewire/cable.
 10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the firstslot extends through at least 135° around the axis.
 11. The combinationaccording to claim 8 wherein the second slot has an arcuate shapecentered on the axis.
 12. The combination according to claim 11 whereinthe first and second slots each extends through at least 135°.
 13. Thecombination according to claim 9 wherein the first and second slots eachhas first and second ends and a locally enlarged width betweenrespective first and second ends, the locally enlarged width on thefirst and second components registrable with the first and secondcomponents within a range of relative positions with respect to theaxis.
 14. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the guideassembly comprises a tubular body with a vertically extending passage,the first component is fixed on the tubular body, and the secondcomponent is configured to be fixed to the support with the guideassembly operatively connected to the support, whereby the tubular bodyis movable with the first component.
 15. The combination according toclaim 5 wherein the tubular body has a top and bottom, the firstcomponent is fixed at the bottom of the tubular body and the supportassembly is mounted at the top of the tubular body.
 16. The combinationaccording to claim 5 wherein the second component is fixed to thesupport with the guide assembly operatively connected to the support andthere are first and second surfaces on the guide assembly that blockmovement of the second component around the axis to within apredetermined range.
 17. The combination according to claim 16 whereinone of the first and second surfaces is on the first component.
 18. Thecombination according to claim 16 wherein the first and second surfacesface circumferentially oppositely with respect to the axis.
 19. Thecombination according to claim 1 further in combination with at leastone of a power supply and an alarm system connected through the at leastone wire/cable to the portable article on the display position.